The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Thursday will consider the question of allocating part of the county’s American Rescue Plan funding to help small businesses in the region.
The issue is part of the board’s agenda session, which begins at 1 p.m. at the Cumberland County Courthouse.
The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion federal COVID-19 stimulus package approved in 2021. It includes provisions such as tax credits, unemployment benefit extensions, health care funding and small business grants.
Cumberland’s ARP Committee, which includes Commissioners Jimmy Keefe, Glenn Adams and Toni Stewart, already approved a plan for a total of $811,118 in funds to be allocated among 21 businesses. The next step is for the full Board of Commissioners to hear and approve the plan to go on to its consent agenda, where it will be considered again by the full board.
The Small Business Economic Assistance Program uses ARP funds to provide up to $50,000 in financial assistance for small for-profit businesses that faced economic hardship related to the pandemic. The assistance is contingent on the businesses meeting state and federal requirements for funding as well as the execution of a contract with the county.
Applications for Phase 2 of the program were open throughout July. Out of 38 total applicants, 21 businesses were approved for grants.
Phase 2 businesses and grant amounts include:
Ammons Group Inc., $50,000
Cameo Art House Theatre, $50,000
Carolina Specialties of N.C. , $50,000
Chiraphon Brockus (Simply Better Thai), $37,350
Danielle N. Lord House of Braids and Wigs, $9,600
Epiphany Boutique, $37,350
Eutaw Spa, $50,000
Fayettenam Ohana, $50,000
Glenise Lesane American Barber Shop, $30,000
Greg Hathaway/Greg's Pottery, $30,000
KidCreate Studio, $37,350
Kamdan Cleaning Solutions, $30,000
Marion E. Wall , $50,000
Nevers Home Healthcare Agency, $24,030
Parks Creamery/Cold Stone Creamery, $50,000
Precious Haven, $50,000
St. George of Fayetteville Co./Army City Steak and Gyro, Spring Lake, $35,813
St. Tadrous of Fayetteville Co./Army City Steak and Gyro, Fayetteville, $32,100
St. Bavly Inc./Great Steak, $35,025
Stooges Inc./Latitude 35 Bar & Grill, $50,000
Un H. Kim/Una Total Beauty, $22,500
The county also received requests from 15 small businesses for additional funding, given that they were awarded less than the $50,000 maximum during Phase I of ARP funding and are eligible for additional funds. This program will cost a total of $239,623. Those businesses and recommended funds include::
Chapmans Management Co., $20,000
Christina Tomlin/Hidden Jewel Salon, $14,600
Cora R. Sheffield/Camille Spa & Wax Studio, $3,850
H3 Cleaning Solutions, $20,500
Kyle Soung/Yummy Express, $10,000
Laura J. Hardy/Hardy Group Consulting, $3,000
LL&M Inc./Burney's Sweets and More of Fayetteville, $10,000
Matthew Meadows/Got Chu Faded Barbershop, $9,860
My Heavenly Sweets, $10,000
Pierro's Italian Bistro, $27,000
Saam's Party Tents, $30,000
Southern Coals Inc., $15,000
Tonya McNeill Council/Exclusive Hair Designs Salon & Spa), $13,513
Winterbloom, $2,305
Yellow Crayons, $30,000
ARP Committee members did not approve this funding but are asking for more information to be presented to the full Board of Commissioners.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cumberland County Courthouse to consider approval of the funding, among other items.
Contact Char Morrison at cmorrison@cityviewnc.com.
